Villa Balbianello - A wonderful Lake Como Landmark

Villa del Balbianello (also known as Villa Balbianello) is an 18th-century lakeside villa in the wooded Dosso d'Avedo peninsula in Lenno, on the western shore of Lake Como. The villa's pristine garden has artfully pruned trees and carefully manicured lawns and hedges. Here, wonderful views of Isola Comacina (the lake's only island) and sublime panoramic views of the lake await you.

The villa is one of many publicly accessible grand villas around Lake Como but if you only have time to visit one, it should be Villa del Balbianello.

History

Villa Balbianello was commissioned by Cardinal Angelo Durini in 1787 on the site of a former monastery. The neoclassical villa was used by the cardinal for gatherings and social events.

After the cardinal’s death, the villa was inherited by his nephew, Luigi Porro Lambertenghi. Lambertenghi liked hosting events at the villa and invited Italian writer and poet Silvio Pellico to tutor his sons there. Interestingly, Pellico was arrested at the villa in 1820 by the Austrian government for carbonarism.

Over the centuries, the villa changed hands several times, with each owner contributing to its grandeur. One of the prominent owners was American businessman Butler Ames. He purchased it in the early 20th century and restored it meticulously. The villa was purchased by the last private owner, Italian explorer Guido Monzino, in 1974.

Monzino enriched the villa with artifacts from his numerous expeditions, creating a unique blend of history and adventure within its walls.

The Current Use And Ownership

Villa Balbianello is now managed by FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano (the National Trust for Italy). It was bequeathed to the FAI by Guido Monzino in 1988. It is now open to the public for self-tours and guided tours. The villa is also often used as a venue for private events, including photoshoots, movies, and weddings.

Why Visit Villa Balbianello?

There are many reasons why Villa Balbianello is a must-see location for anyone exploring Lake Como. First, it's right by the lake, providing incredible views from the gardens.

Secondly, it's a piece of Italian history, containing many fascinating items left by the previous owner, Count Guido Monzino. Monzino is known to be quite the adventurer. He was the first to lead an Italian Expedition to Mount Everest and many of his prized possessions still adorn the Museum of Expeditions on the property.

Movie buffs, particularly James Bond and Star Wars fans, will be happy to know that the villa was featured in one film in each movie series.

Buildings Within the Property

In addition to the Villa itself and the Museum of Expeditions, there are other buildings on the property worth exploring when you visit. The first is The Orangery, where you'll often find a film about Guido Monzino playing.

Then there is the Loggia Durini, which offers stunning views of the lake and a sneak peek of the book-lined rooms in the interior of the villa.

Last of all, you'll find the old chapel close to the lake. Now used as a gift shop, you can purchase refreshments, handicrafts and souvenirs from other FAI properties.

The Garden

The garden is one of the most spectacular around Lake Como. It features many beautiful sculptures and various plants and flowers, including shrubs pruned into interesting shapes.

One of the biggest draws of the garden is its stunning views of Lake Como. If you are lucky, you may even find some quiet spots to enjoy the vast expanse of the lake and the hills surrounding it.

Opening Periods & Times

Villa Balbianello is open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (excluding Mondays and Wednesdays) throughout the year except February.

A Popular Wedding Venue

It's no surprise that such a stunning villa is a much sought-after wedding venue. Many wedding planners in Italy and beyond offer packages to make a wedding at the villa memorable. Nothing goes better with Lake Como than a Riva boat. The iconic Italian boats are probably the best option to get your guests to the villa for the ceremony. You can choose from many operators who offer Riva boat rides. You can also leave this to your wedding planner, who is likely to be familiar with the best options.

Movies with scenes at Villa del Balbianello

Villa del Balbianello is such a visually impressive location that a few movies have used it as a filming location. Movies with scenes at the villa include the James Bond movie 'Casino Royal,' which featured a scene with 007 recovering from an encounter with the movie's villain. The villa was also featured as the venue of Anakin Skywalker's wedding in George Lucas' 'Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones'. Another movie with scenes at the lake is the 1995 romantic comedy 'A Month by the Lake' starring Uma Thurman.

Ways to get to the Villa

There are two ways to get to Villa del Balbianello: on foot or by boat.

By Boat

Take a taxi boat or private boat from Lido di Lenno or any other city around Lake Como. A private boat will offer the best experience as it allows you to choose your itinerary and explore the lake in its full glory. Many private boat tours also offer stopovers at other high-profile Lake Como villas.

By Foot

Free parking is available in Parcheggio Mercato on Via Comoedia, a 25-minute (1.2km) walk (with slopes) from the villa. You should only consider this if you enjoy hiking.

Due to large crowds, parking spaces tend to fill up quickly in the summer.

The Best Time To Visit Villa del Balbianello

The best period of the year to visit Villa del Balbianello is spring or autumn. Both locals and tourists flock to the area during the summer, so visiting during that time of the year means you're likely to encounter large crowds.

Frequently Asked Questions about Villa del Balbianello

Who owns Villa Balbianello?

The villa is currently owned by FAI - Fondo Ambiente Italiano (the National Trust for Italy).

How much does it cost to visit Villa del Balbianello?

To self-tour the gardens, tickets cost €12 for adults and €9 for children (6-18). Touring the villa and the garden costs €23 for adults and €15 for children (6-18). However, a private boat tour with multiple villa stopovers offers the best experience.

Is it worth going inside Villa del Balbianello?

Yes, there is a lot to see inside the villa, including the Museum of Expeditions, where the varied collections of Guido Monzino are displayed.

Can I get married at Villa del Balbianello?

Yes, you and the love of your life can tie the knot at the villa.

What lake was in Casino Royale?

Casino Royal featured Lake Como, a glacial lake in Lombardy, Italy. Mostly from Villa del Balbianello.

Can you sleep at Villa del Balbianello?

Villa del Balbianello doesn't offer any accommodation for visitors. However, there are other Lake Como villas that are currently hotels. These include Villa d'Este and Villa Cipressi.

How much would a wedding in Lake Como cost?

The rental cost varies based on the duration and other factors. You can obtain prices from the FAI site. However, the rental itself is just one aspect of the total cost which will include catering, transportation for guests (likely by private boats), decoration etc.